Nairobi , Kenya -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The leaders of Kenya , Somalia and Uganda held a closed-door meeting in Nairobi Wednesday , reaffirming their commitment to military operations against the Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab in Somalia .

Presidents Mwai Kibaki , Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and Yoweri Museveni met for several hours in the Kenyan capital at State House , Kibaki 's official residence .

In a joint communique after the meeting , the leaders `` expressed confidence that the joint Kenya-Somali operation presents the region with a historic opportunity to restore stability and security in Somalia , '' Kenya 's foreign minister said .

Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October after a rash of kidnappings Kenyan authorities blamed on Al-Shabaab , which has ties to al Qaeda and is considered a terrorist group by the United States .

Kenyan officials say the kidnappings threatened security and constituted an attack on Kenyan sovereignty . Kenyan forces are ultimately seeking to take the Somali port city of Kismayo , described by the United Nations as a key stronghold and source of cash for Al-Shabaab .

But after more than a month , Kenya 's operation has seen little direct conflict with Al-Shabaab , and has been beset with logistical delays . However , military officials remain confident they will be able to disable the group in southern Somalia .

Last month , Ahmed had questioned the wisdom of a Kenyan military incursion into Somali territory , but he has since said that he supports the operation .

The African Union-backed AMISOM force , meanwhile , is trying to consolidate power for Somalia 's weak transitional federal government in Mogadishu , where Al-Shabaab is especially active in its battle against that government .

Uganda is the largest contributor of forces to AMISOM , and the three presidents called on other African countries that have pledged troops , but have yet to act , to `` urgently fulfill their pledges . '' Most security analysts believe that more troops are needed for AMISOM to expand its reach of control .

While not much of substance was made public from the presidents ' meeting , it was symbolically significant , with the three leaders standing together next to their flags in a show of unity .

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The presidents are confident the operation against Al-Shabaab will restore security

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Kenyan troops entered southern Somalia in October

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Al-Shabaab is linked to al Qaeda and considered a terrorist group by the U.S.